SSH Connections: How to Use PuTTY for Mac & Linux 

Key highlights 

• Understand what an SSH connection is and why it’s used for secure server access. 

• Learn the difference between SSH1 and SSH2 and why Bluehost requires SSH2. 

• Discover how SSH connection is used for file transfers, remote management and server administration. 

• Follow step-by-step instructions to connect SSH on Windows and Terminal on macOS and Linux. 

• Understand basic SSH security practices, including server verification and encrypted access. 

Managing your website doesn’t have to mean risking your data. That’s where SSH (Secure Shell) comes in a secure, encrypted way to connect directly to your website server and take full control with confidence. 

SSH creates a protected connection between your computer and your remote server, allowing you to run commands, transfer files and manage your site without exposing sensitive information. At Bluehost, we use SSH2, the latest and most secure version, to ensure your connection stays safe and reliable. 

With an SSH connection, you can securely move files, log in to your server remotely and perform FTP-related tasks with an added layer of protection. Think of it as a private, encrypted tunnel that gives you direct access to your server whenever you need it. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about SSH from the basics to setting it up, so you can manage your website securely. 

What is an SSH Connection? 

An SSH (Secure Shell) connection is a secure way to connect to a remote server over the internet. It encrypts the data sent between your computer and the server, protecting login credentials and commands from unauthorized access. 

SSH connection is commonly used for: 

• Secure remote server access for managing hosting accounts and servers 

• Encrypted file transfers using protocols like SCP and SFTP 

• Remote command execution through a command-line interface 

• Server administration tasks, such as software updates and configuration changes 

As SSH encrypts all communication, it is significantly safer than older remote access methods and has become the industry standard for secure server management. It is especially valuable for users who need direct, reliable control over their hosting environment. 

Eligible shared hosting plans at Bluehost support SSH access, which you can enable through cPanel. For VPS and dedicated servers, SSH access is included by default, allowing you to securely manage your environment over SSH2. 

SSH versions (SSH1 vs SSH2) 

There are two primary versions of SSH connection: SSH1 and SSH2. While both are designed to provide secure remote access, SSH2 offers improved website security and reliability and is the version currently in use. 

Feature	SSH1	SSH2
Security status	Outdated	Current and secure
Encryption strength	Weaker encryption	Strong encryption
Authentication	Limited methods	Enhanced authentication
Data integrity	More vulnerable	Improved protection
Industry usage	Deprecated	Industry standard
Bluehost support	Not supported	Supported exclusively by Bluehost

Since SSH2 includes stronger encryption and better protection against security vulnerabilities, Bluehost requires customers to use SSH2 for all SSH connections. 

Now that you understand the differences between SSH versions and why SSH2 is the recommended standard, the next step is choosing the right tool. For Windows users, PuTTY is one of the most commonly used SSH clients. 

Also read: How to generate an SSH public or private key 

At Bluehost, we do prioritize giving website owners control and security. We offer full SSH support across Shared, VPS and Dedicated hosting plans, enabling secure, encrypted SSH2 connections right out of the box.  

This allows developers the freedom to manage their sites, whether debugging WordPress or deploying complex applications without compromising security.   

How to connect to SSH on Windows? 

Modern versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 include an optional OpenSSH client, so you can connect to your server directly from Command Prompt or PowerShell without installing extra software. If you prefer a graphical client or want features like saved sessions and .ppk key support, you can use PuTTY instead. 

Option 1: Use the built-in SSH client (Command Prompt / PowerShell) 

Step 1: Make sure OpenSSH Client is installed 

On most up-to-date Windows 10 and 11 systems, the OpenSSH Client is installed by default, but you can verify it: 

1. Open Settings → Apps → Optional features. 

2. Scroll through the list for OpenSSH Client. 

3. If it is not listed, click Add a feature, search for OpenSSH Client, select it and click Install. 

Alternatively, you can quickly test from the terminal: 

• Open Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell and run: 

ssh 

• If you see usage help (options for the ssh command), the client is installed. 

Step 2: Gather your SSH details 

Before connecting, have these details ready: 

• Server hostname (for example, [yourdomain].com or your server’s IP). 

• cPanel username. 

• Password or SSH key (depending on how SSH is configured in your Bluehost account). 

You can find your cPanel username in the Stats section on the left-hand side of your cPanel dashboard. 

Step 3: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell 

1. Click Start and type cmd or PowerShell. 

2. Press Enter to open Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. 

Step 4: Connect with the ssh command 

In the terminal window, run the ssh command, replacing username and [example].com with your cPanel username and domain name: 

ssh [email protected]

Examples: 

ssh [email protected] 

ssh [email protected] 

If you’re using a non-default port (for example, 2222), specify it with -p: 

ssh -p 2222 [email protected]

Step 5: Handle the first-time host authenticity prompt 

When you connect for the first time from this Windows machine, you’ll see a message indicating that the authenticity of the host can’t be established and showing an RSA or ED25519 key fingerprint. 

Typical example: 

• “The authenticity of host ‘[example].com’ can’t be established.” 

• “RSA key fingerprint is xx:xx:…” 

Steps: 

1. Verify that the hostname or IP address matches your server details. 

2. If it’s correct, type yes and press Enter to add the host to your known_hosts file. 

3. When prompted, enter your cPanel password and press Enter. 

Note: For security reasons, no characters will appear on the screen while you type your password. 

If authentication succeeds, you’ll see a shell prompt on your server and can run commands according to your Bluehost plan’s SSH permissions. 

Option 2: Use PuTTY (graphical SSH client) 

PuTTY is a free, widely used SSH client for Windows that gives you a graphical interface, saved sessions and support for PuTTY-specific key formats like .ppk. 

Step 1: Download and install PuTTY 

1. Visit the official PuTTY download page at: 

https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html

2. Under the Windows section, download the Windows installer (.msi) for the latest stable release. 

3. Run the installer and follow the prompts to install PuTTY and related tools. 

If you prefer a portable option, you can download the standalone .exe version instead of the installer. 

Step 2: Gather your SSH connection details 

As with the native client, have these ready: 

• Host Name (or IP address) – for example, [yourdomain].com. 

• Port (typically 22, unless Bluehost has given you a custom port). 

• cPanel username. 

• Password or SSH private key (if using key-based authentication). 

Step 3: Configure a new PuTTY session 

1. Open PuTTY. 

2. In the Session category: 

• Enter your domain name or server IP in Host Name (or IP address). 

• Make sure Port is set to 22 (or your custom SSH port). 

• Ensure Connection type is set to SSH. 

3. (Optional) To pre-fill your username: 

• Go to Connection → Data. 

• Enter your cPanel username in Auto-login username. 

Step 4: Load your SSH key (if using key-based login) 

If you use SSH keys instead of a password: 

1. In PuTTY, go to Connection → SSH → Auth → Credentials. 

2. Click Browse next to Private key file for authentication. 

3. Select your PuTTY private key file (e.g., .ppk). 

If you have an OpenSSH-format key, you may need to convert it to .ppk using PuTTYgen, as described in your key-generation guide. 

Step 5: Save your session for future use (recommended) 

1. Return to the Session category. 

2. Under Saved Sessions, enter a descriptive name (for example, My Bluehost SSH). 

3. Click Save. 

Next time, you can just select this saved session and click Load followed by Open. 

Step 6: Open the SSH connection 

1. Click Open. 

2. On first connect, PuTTY displays a server host key warning similar to the OpenSSH authenticity prompt: it shows the key fingerprint and asks you to confirm. 

3. Verify that the host name is correct and the fingerprint matches the expected value from your host, then click Accept to store the key. 

4. If you didn’t pre-fill the username, PuTTY will prompt:  

• “login as:” – enter your cPanel username and press Enter.

5. Enter your password (or unlock your key, if prompted). 

Once authenticated, you’ll see a command-line prompt for your server and can run commands according to your Bluehost SSH permissions. 

How to connect to SSH on macOS and Linux? 

Both macOS and most Linux distributions include a built-in SSH client, so you can connect to your server directly from the Terminal without installing additional software. 

Use Terminal on macOS or Linux 

To start an SSH connection, open Terminal on your Mac or Linux system and run the ssh command, replacing username and [example].com with your cPanel username and domain name: 

ssh [email protected] 

Use your cPanel username when connecting via SSH. You can find this in the Stats section on the left-hand side of your cPanel dashboard. 

First-time connection 

The first time you connect from a new device, you’ll see a host authenticity and fingerprint prompt. This is a normal security check: 

• Confirm that the domain name is correct. 

• Type yes when asked if you want to continue connecting. 

• Enter your cPanel password when prompted and press Return. 

For security reasons, no characters appear on the screen while you type your password. 

Final thoughts 

SSH (Secure Shell) provides a secure way to connect to a remote server for tasks such as file transfers, server management and command execution. By encrypting all data exchanged during the connection, SSH connection helps protect sensitive account information when accessing your server. 

At Bluehost, we understand that advanced users need this level of control. That is why we provide full SSH2 access across our hosting plans – from Shared Hosting to VPS and Dedicated servers. We want to ensure you have the professional-grade tools necessary to manage your environment efficiently. 

Take control of your server with secure, command-line access. Bluehost’s dedicated hosting plan with built-in SSH support makes management easier. 

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